Old Brown Shoe

The Beatles

About Old Brown Shoe

"Old Brown Shoe" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles. Written by George Harrison, the group's lead guitarist, it was released on a non-album single in May 1969, as the B-side to "The Ballad of John and Yoko". The song was subsequently included on the band's compilation albums Hey Jude, 1967–1970 and Past Masters, Volume Two. Several music critics have recognised it as one of Harrison's best compositions from the Beatles era. The Beatles rehearsed "Old Brown Shoe" during the sessions for their album Let It Be in January 1969. Harrison subsequently taped a solo demo of the song, along with two other compositions that the band had overlooked: "Something" and "All Things Must Pass". The group recorded the song formally in April, during the early sessions for Abbey Road. The 1969 demo was released on the Beatles' Anthology 3 compilation in 1996. A live version by Harrison was included on his 1992 album Live in Japan. Gary Brooker performed the song at the Concert for George tribute in November 2002, held at London's Royal Albert Hall a year after Harrison's death. 


Year:
1970
2:59
65 

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Standing in the dock at Southampton
Trying to get to Holland or France.
The man in the mac said you've got to go back,
You know they didn't even give us a chance.

Christ! You know it ain't easy,
You know how hard it can be.
The way things are going,
They're going to crucify me.
Finally made the plane into Paris,
Honeymooning down by the Seine.

Peter Brown called to say,
You can make it OK,
You can get married in Gibraltar near Spain.

Christ! You know it ain't easy,
You know how hard it can be.
The way things are going,
They're going to crucify me.

Drove from Paris to the Amsterdam Hilton,
Talking in our beds for a week.
The newspapers said, say what're you doing in bed,
I said we're only trying to get us some peace.

Christ! You know it ain't easy,
You know how hard it can be.
The way things are going,
They're going to crucify me.
Saving up your money for a rainy day,
Giving all your clothes to charity.

Last night the wife said,
Oh boy, when you're dead you 
Don't take nothing with you but your soul think!
Made a lightning trip to Vienna,
Eating chocolate cake in a bag.

The newspapers said,
She's gone to his head,
They look just like two Gurus in a drag.
Christ! You know it ain't easy,
You know how hard it can be.

The way things are going,
They're going to crucify me.
Caught the early plane back to London,
Fifty acorns tied in a sack.
The men from the press said we wish you success,
It's good to have the both of you back.

Christ! You know it ain't easy,
You know how hard it can be.
The way things are going,
They're going to crucify me

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music. Their best-known lineup consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, they later utilised several genres, ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. In the early 1960s, their enormous popularity first emerged as "Beatlemania", but as their songwriting grew in sophistication, they came to be perceived by many fans and cultural observers as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the era's sociocultural revolutions. more »

57 fans

Written by: John Lennon, Paul Mccartney

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Composition
"Old Brown Shoe" was written by George Harrison of The Beatles. This song shows Harrison's diverse approach to songwriting, blending bluesy, rock elements with more sophisticated musical structures.
Release Details
The song was first released as a B-side to "The Ballad of John and Yoko," on May 30, 1969. A Beatles' single release, it appeared with an A-side track that was not included on an album for the first time.
Lead Vocals
Unlike many Beatles songs led by either Paul McCartney or John Lennon, "Old Brown Shoe" is distinct as it features George Harrison on lead vocals.
Recording Sessions
The initial recording of the song took place at EMI Studios in London on February 25, 1969, during the sessions for the "Abbey Road" album. The final version was later recorded in April and May of the same year.
Unofficial Debut
The song was first played unofficially by George Harrison on Billy Preston's electric piano during the "Get Back/ Let It Be" sessions.
Unique Bass Line
Paul McCartney, renowned for his versatile bass playing, delivered a unique and memorable bassline in this song, contributing to its groovy feel.
Varied Song Interpretations
Harrison never clearly explained the song's meaning leading to various interpretations, some suggest it refers to the struggle between spiritual goals and materialistic desires.
Live Performance
George Harrison performed "Old Brown Shoe" live during his tour of Japan in 1991. It marked one of the rare times a Beatles song written by Harrison was performed live.
Harrison's Opinion
According to Harrison, he thought the song was a good exercise in writing a pop song with its clever wordplay and catchy rhythm.
Music Video
"Old Brown Shoe" also got its own music video which featured on the Beatles’ 2015 video compilation 1, underlining the song's ongoing popularity.
Vox Continental Organ
A striking feature in "Old Brown Shoe" is the organ track that provides a groovy and upbeat tempo. The organ used was a "Vox Continental".
Cover Versions
The song was covered by artists like Gary Brooker of Procol Harum and Scottish musician Lawrence Gowan, demonstrating its impact and longevity.

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